Pancreatic Cancer Survival Rate

The National Cancer Institute, (an organization in the United States dedicated to finding cures for cancer), spends $20 million a year on pancreatic cancer research. Unfortunately, at least to those with a more pessimistic mindset, the money and research time doesn’t seem to be helping things. This is because the rate of pancreatic cancer survival is very low. In fact, the general pancreatic cancer survival rate is only 4 percent. And this figure only encompasses individuals who live over five years… it does not cover the pancreatic cancer survival rates of those who get the condition again after this period of time.

However, when it comes to analyzing pancreatic cancer survival statistics, whether one is a researcher or even a direct sufferer, what should be looked at is not how many people are dying, but rather how many people are living. Of the 4 percent that have beat the more grim pancreatic cancer survival odds, what have they done that makes them more able to cope with such a serious illness? Or is it a matter of something else, such as genetics or the type of pancreatic cancer they have?

Well, current research of pancreatic cancer survival rates indicates that what separates those who live from those who don’t really is how the cancer has developed. The highest pancreatic cancer survival rate is among individuals whose cancer has stayed limited to the pancreatic region. This even includes those in which the tumors have spread to outside areas within a small radius. Granted, they still don’t live as long as those who have tumors just in the pancreas itself, but their chances are still much higher than those who have had their tumors more widespread.

Another element that is important when considering pancreatic cancer survival rates are the racial backgrounds of those who have survived. Black women have the highest pancreatic cancer survival rate, though they are more likely to get the disease than white women. Yet, black men do not have as positive pancreatic cancer survival rates. In fact, their pancreatic cancer survival rates are the lowest. White men and women have pancreatic cancer survival rates that are somewhat in between.

Finally, there’s the issue of treatment when it comes to pancreatic cancer survival rate. It has been proven that surgery is the most effective at fighting pancreatic cancer. Next in line is radiation therapy and chemotherapy, though these tend to be the options that are considered when the pancreatic cancer has badly metastasized. Additionally, it should be noted that surgical intervention goes hand-in-hand with how localized the pancreatic tumors are. If the pancreatic tumors are restricted to just the pancreas, or smaller regions around the organ, surgical intervention is the most sought-after option for treatment.

In conclusion, the pancreatic survival rate is best when a person has a more centralized form of the disease, is of a certain race and if surgical intervention is used. Unfortunately, a person will not know on their own whether or not they can be part of the 4 percent that will have a higher prostate cancer survival rate. This is because the survivors have the same symptoms and difficulties as those who don’t survive. But if a person goes to the doctor, they’ll be able to know for sure and get the treatment that they need.